Construction in watercraft



Sept. '1, 1936. H. K. sTAcK CONSTRUCTION IN WATERCRAFT Filed Feb. 24, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 oaoo o *oooooOoo ooR I o o o \N\\ o o 0 o 0.0 O o o o Ace Sept. 1, 1936. H. K. STACK CONSTRUCTION IN WATERCRAFT s Shets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 24, 1953 Sept. 1, 193

H. K. STACK CONS TRUCTIQN I N WATERCRAFT Filed Feb. 24, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Sept. 1, 1936 Fan ii STATES PATENT FiCE '7 Claims.

My present invention relates to my United States .Patent No. 1,817,780, issued in the U. S. Patent Oflice under date of August 4, 1931.

The primary purpcseand object of my present invention is the same as that of the herein above referred to patent.

In my present invention I tie the pontoons together attheir median line to further stabilize the pontoons and to prevent theracking of the pontoons. The pontoons are also supported one to the other and to the hull by the reinforcing band that is placed around the longitudinal median lines of the pontoons.

In my present invention 1 also provide for the combination of water and air propulsion. I also have provided in my present invention a substantial ratio of depth to breadth of the pontoons at the maximum diameter.

A still further object of my invention consists in providing bilge space at the bottom of the pontoons and below a false bottomto provide storage for liquids and for pay cargo.

One of the primary objects of my invention consists in providing a marine crafthaving maximum stability and one wherein the primary hull of the structure rises above the normal water line, the craft being supported by submerged pontoons.

A still further object of my invention consists in so constructing the craft that it may either 0 have water or air propulsion.

With these and incidental objects in view, the invention consists in certain novel features of construction and combination of parts, the essential elements of which are set forth in the appended claims, and a preferred form of embodiment of which is hereinafter shown with reference to the drawings which accompany and form a part of this specification.

Fig. 1 is a side view of a large sea-going craft embodying my new and improved elements of construction.

Fig. 2 is a sectional plan view of the assembly taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1. This view is taken at substantially the normal water line of the- Fig. 6 is a sectional side view of one of the larger pontoons.

Fig. 7 is a sectional end view of the pontoon illustrated in Fig. 6. This view is taken on line 'l--'! of Figure 6.

Fig. 8 is a side view of a water craft of still fur ther modified form, embodying my construction. This design is for the smaller size of boats.

Fig. 9 is a sectional plan view of the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 8. This view is taken on line 10 9-9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a plan view of a floating dock that is adapted to be made portable or be secured in open position in the open water It may also be used for the handling and transferring of cargo or for 15 a landing field for aircraft.

Like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views.

In the larger types of ship, I provide a hull I that is normalEy intended to ride above the surface of the water. This hull has upwardly extending bottoms at its opposite ends to facilitate its rapid progress through the water. A second deck 2 is superposed the primary hull, and navigating quarters 3 are superposed the second deck. 5 Major submersible pontoons 4, 5, 6, and I depend from the primary surface hull i. These pontoons are elliptical in transverse cross section and are elliptical in longitudinal cross section. The medial line of each of the pontoons lies in a common plane.

Relatively large passenger and freight transfer intercommunicating passageways connect centrally from the top of each of these pontoons t0 the primary deck I. These passageways are il- 35 lustrated at 8, 9, l0, and H. The same are made sufliciently large to permit the transfer of freight and passengers. A relatively large pontoon I2 is disposed centrally of the assembly and between and below thepontoonsl, 5, 6, and I. An intercom- 40 municating passageway i3 leads from the primary hull to the lower pontoon l2. This pontoon may have the primary power plant disposed therein that is used for driving the propeller [4.

A secondary air propeller l5 may be disposed within the navigating quarters to be used for propelling the boat freely where relatively high speeds are required. A reinforcing band I6 is disposed about the medial horizontal line of the respective pontoons and this band is made sufliciently strong and of suitable material to tie the pontoons 4, 5, 6, and I together at their medial line.

A plurality of spaced vertically disposed struts I 7 connect the medial band I6 and extend upl wardly therefrom to the under side of the primary hull l. A plurality of secondary spaced reinforcing bands l8 run from strut to strut and reinforce the same. The cross plates may run from the medial band it to the-hull structure.

on the smaller craft, all of the pontoons disposed below the primary hull are substantially equal in area and the horizontal medial line of all of them may be made to lie in a common plane. When so arranged, but four pontoons are required. The marinestructure is so assembled and designed that the major portion of the pontoons will be submerged when the structure is loaded, and to leave the major hull of the ship to ride normally out of water. Intercommunicating passageways lead from the pontoons tothe hull through which the transfer of passengers, freight and the like may be readily transferred from one to the other.

I place a power plant in each of the side pontoons is and 20. These propelling engines are self-contained and are reversible. Propellers 2l and 22 are adapted for being driven by the propelling engine disposed therein. This provides a ship structure that may be propelled and steered without the use of other steering apparatus excepting the twin screw propellers themselves. The longitudinal reinforced medial band 23 is disposed about the longitudinal medial lines of the respective pontoons, the medial lines of all of the pontoons lying in a common plane. A plurality of struts connect the medial line band 23 with the under side of the single hull 23- disposed thereabove. Secondary spaced reinforced bands 25 connect the respective vertically disposed struts. The major pontoons each' have a false or secondary bottom 26 as illustrated in Figs 6 and 7.

These false bottom plates rest directly upon cross girders 2i. Vertically disposed plates 28 and 29 form the outer side walls of the cargo hatches or holds 39 and 3d. The holds may be further divided by spaced crossed bulk heads 32. A relatively large passageway 33 connects the hull 24 with the pontoons. A fabricated gusset structure 34 connects the stern end 35 of the pontoon 36 with the forward end (if of the pontoon 38 and with the medial line of the pontoons l9 and 26, to thereby tie the pontoons together laterally and longitudinally. This affords great stability to the structure and insures long life for the same. When the ship is properly loaded, substantially the entire pontoon structure is submerged and practically the entire hull support structure is carried about in normal water line so the resistance to the passageway through water is made up primarily by the propelling force required by the propelling of the pontoons through the water and that of the struts that connect the medial line of the pontoons with that of the underside of the primary hull strut.

In Fig. I have shown a floating dock made up of a plurality of pontoons 39, the longitudinal center line of each of which all lie in a common plane. A band 4E] passes about the pontoons and ties the same together and a deck 4!! is placed above the top of the pontoons and above the normal water line of the water in which the craft normally floats. This dock may be comprised of decked pontoons or a plurality of boats as illustrated inFig. 8, the deck being supported by struts that connect the pontoons with the deck.

In the adaptation of my boat construction wherein submerged pontoons are used for stabilizing the boat in heavy seas, and for increasing the speed of the boat I recommend that the prothe proportion substantially of 7 to 9.

portion of the depth to the width of the pontoon at the maximum cross sectional area is done in These proportions may be varied somewhat and still give satisfactory results. Where false bottoms I are placed in the pontoons the bilge of the pontoon may be used for the storing and carrying of fluids of all kinds, such as fresh water, fuel oil and other fluids that are transported for shipsstores or for cargo.- Water craft as herein outlined possesses greater stability in rough Water than has heretofore been possible.

- While the form of mechanism herein shown and described is admirably adapted to fulfill the objects primarily stated, it is to be understood that it is not intended to conflne the invention to the embodiment herein shown and described,

as it is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What I claim is:

. 1. In a pontoon watercraft of the class described, the combination of a hull and a plurality of spaced interconnected pontoons assembled into I one section forming a submersible multipontoon basic float disposed below the hull, a medial band disposed about the longitudinal center'line of the pontoons and secured thereto, said band including rim edge flanges of material of which the pontoons are composed, outwardly situated struts of ovoid formation disposed between the rim edge flange medial band and the underside of the hull and secured to both, oblate tubular members disposed between the top center portion of the pontoon and the underside or bottom of the hull forming relatively large intercommunicating passageways therebetween, a main lower and ballasting pontoon arranged centrally below the other pontoons, and means on the craft for propelling the same through the water comprising water and air propellers.

2. In a pontoon watercraft of the class described, the combination of a plurality of spaced interconnected pontoons assembled into one'section forming a submersible multipontoon basic float, the pontoons thereof being elliptical and tapering toward the ends and having rim edge flanges at the longitudinal medial center lines thereof and having large oblate form tubular members extending upwardly from the top center portion, thereof, the longitudinal medial center line of each of the pontoons embraced in said multipontoon basic float lying in a. common plane, a band passing about the longitudinal center line of thepontoon and secured thereto including the rim edge flanges thereof, a hull superposed the pontoons in the float, outwardly situated struts of ovoid formation supporting said hull, said struts extending upwardly from the rim edge medial band and from the top center ridge line of the pontoons and means on the craft for propelling it through the water comprising water and air propellers, a main power, cargo carrying, ballasting pontoon disposed centrally below the side pontoons, means for steering the craft comprising a rudder placed at the stern end of the main pontoon and a steering gear placed in the stern end pontoon of the multipontoon basic float, and oblate tubular members forming means for communication between the bottom of the hull and the top center portion of the pontoon.

3. In a pontoon watercraft of the class described, the combination of a hull and a plurality of spaced interconnecting pontoons assembled into one whole section forming thereof a'submersible multipontoon basic float disposed below the hull, said float comprising a main power and ballasting pontoon disposed centrally below the side pontoons, means for steering the boat comprising a steering gear placed in the end pontoon and a rudder placed at the stern end of said main pontoon, a medial band disposed about the longitudinal centerline of the pontoons and secured thereto including rim edge flanges of the material of which the pontoons are composed, outwardly situated struts of ovoid formation disposed between the rim edge flange medial band and the underside edge of the hull and secured to both, means for bracing consisting of ovoidal shape elongated structures longitudinally passing through the outwardly situated ovoidal struts from bow to stern and secured thereto and to each strut and placed one at the water surface line, one above and one below, and means for propelling the craft through the water comprising water and air propellers said water propellers being situated at the stern ends of a plurality of said pontoons adaptable for power and heavy cargo carrying, the air propeller being at the bow end of the upper deck, tubular ovoid struts forming relatively large intercommunicating passageways disposed between the top center portion midway between the ends of each of the pontoons of the float and the underside of the hull.

4. In a pontoon watercraft of the class described, the combination of a hull of which the bottom toward the ends extend upwardly and a plurality of spaced interconnected pontoons assembled into one whole section forming thereof a multipontoon basic float disposed below the hull, a medial band disposed about the longitudinal center line of the pontoons and secured thereto including rim edge flanges of the material of which the pontoons are composed, short ovoid tubular members disposed between the top center portion midway between the ends of each of the pontoons of the float and the underside of the hull forming means for connecting both hull and multipontoon float together, the longitudinal medial center line of each of the pontoons embraced in said multipontoon basic float lying in a common plane, a hull superposed the pontoons in the float, and means on the craft for propelling it through the water comprising outboard motor water propeller situated at a central position through the bottom of the hull from midway between the ends of the hull to the stern end thereof.

5. In a pontoon watercraft of the class described, the combination of a hull and a multipontoon basie unitary float, comprising a plurality of spaced interconnected pontoons, said pontoons being elliptical and tapering toward the ends, short tubular members of oblate form extending upwardly from the top center portion of the pontoons, rim edge flanges at the longitudinal medial center line of said pontoons lying in a common plane embraced in said multipontoon basic float, a medial band passing about the longitudinal center line of said pontoons and including the rim edge flanges thereof, said hull being unitarily constructed, superposed said pontoons and disconnectibly attached to said oblate tubular members at the upper ends thereof.

6. In a pontoon watercraft of the class described, the combination of hull and a plurality of spaced interconnected pontoons assembled into one complete section forming a submersible multipontoon basic float disposed below the hull and comprising a main ballasting pontoon, a medial band disposed about the longitudinal center line of the pontoons and secured thereto, said band including rim edge flanges of material of which the pontoons are composed, and means for tying said pontoons together embraced in the multipontoon basic float lateral midway of the ends between the side pontoons and at the ends of said pontoons across to the end pontoons consisting of hollow or solid streamline structure and secured to the pontoons and rim edge flanges thereof, outwardly situated struts of ovoid hollow formation disposed between the rim edge flange medial band and the underside edge of the hull and secured to both, the longitudinal medial cen ter line of each of the pontoons embraced in said multipontoon basic float lying in a common plane, means for bracing consisting of flat shape elongated structures longitudinally passing through the outwardly situated struts from bow to stern and secured thereto and to each strut and placed one at the water surface line, one above and one below, a hull superposed the pontoons in the float, and means on the craft for propelling it through the water comprising a water propeller situated at the stern end of the main ballasting pontoon adaptable for power and heavy cargo carrying, oblate tubular members disposed between the top center portion midway between the ends of each of the pontoons of the float forming means for connecting the hull and multipontoon float together and being adaptable for intercommunication purpose, said main power cargo carrying ballasting pontoon disposed centrally below the side pontoons, means for steering the craft comprising a rudder placed at the stern end of the main pontoon below, and a steering gear placed in the stern end pontoon of the multipontoon basic float, and means for watertight vertical walls one on each inside the larger pontoons and a watertight floor, and ovoid tubular strut means forming intercommunicating passageways one on each end of the lower ballasting pontoon and one on each side thereof, all extending upwardly vertically and convergently and connected respectively to all the pontoons in the multipontoon float above, and means for intercommunication purpose directly from one end pontoon to another and from one side pontoon to the other, the end pontoons and the side pontoons connected together with the oblate tubular upwardly extending member of the center ballasting pontoon below.

7. In a pontoon watercraft of the class described, the combination of a hull and a multipontoon basic unitary float comprising a plurality of spaced interconnected pontoons, said pontoons being elliptical and tapering toward the ends, short tubular members of oblate form extending upwardly from the top center portion of the pontoons, a medial band passing about the longitudinal center line of said pontoons including the rim edge flanges thereof and lying in a common plane embraced in said multipontoon basic float, said hull being unitarily constructed and having respective oblate form holes at the bottom thereof and by which it is disconnectibly attached to said oblate tubular members of the pontoons.

HENRY K. STACK. 

